Referee not brave enough to penalise Manchester United, says Fulham manager Martin Jol

Fulham manager Martin Jol accused referee Michael Oliver of lacking the bravery to award an 89th minute penalty to his team at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney’s 42nd minute goal, his 28th in all competitions this season, secured a 1-0 victory which moved Manchester United three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table.

But Oliver’s failure to point to the spot in the dying stages following Michael Carrick’s foul on Fulham substitute Danny Murphy spared United the prospect of dropping two potentially decisive points in the title race.

Jol said: “I thought it was a difficult decision, but if it’s a penalty, then you should send Carrick off. I think everyone in the stadium expected a penalty to be honest."